.jpg "South Africa relief map")
I may have mentioned I’m going to South Africa in recent posts and realize many of you may not have been around when I bought tickets back in June.
I’ve wanted to see the world all my adult life and this is my first trip off my own continent. I’ve been in western Canada a few times and traveled throughout a lot of eastern Mexico. Now’s My Time!.jpg "Flight plan from Phoenix to South Africa")
In fact blogging has a lot to do with my going specifically to South Africa, although it was already on “the list.” Not long after I started blogging, over a year ago, I found an amazing blog written by Joan at SouthAfricanPhotographs with many gorgeous and teasing photos of her country and wildlife, that’s Big and Small as she is really into bugs and such. We cultivated more than a “followers” friendship and she told me I could stay at her place if I came for a visit. That got my gears rolling and I started to research the possibility of following my dream. The cost of the flight wasn’t too bad and within my budget and the rate of exchange is around $1USD/$8Rand. The hardest thing was actually buying the ticket, 9 months in advance. I rarely plan anything more than 6 months ahead.
I started to research, something I truly enjoy. For me the “plan” is part of the journey. I discovered and joined CouchSurfers (CS) hosting a couple of times last summer at the North Rim Grand Canyon NP.
Since then I’ve made several contacts with people along my proposed route in South Africa and should find overnight accommodations in the comfort of a welcome home at many stops along the way interspersed with some camping.
.jpg "Flight route from Phoenix to South Africa")
I leave from Phoenix Monday morning, March 1, switch planes in Washington DC and arrive in Frankfurt, Germany Tuesday morning. A fellow CouchSurfer is going to show me around as I have an 11 hour layover and don’t need a Visa to leave the airport. Wednesday morning I land in Johannesburg, South Africa where Joan will pick me up. Then, hopefully, attend a lunch with two other SA bloggers, Just I and Myself and Thatchwick Cottage.
[The big 5 http://www.smartguide.co.za/]Joan is taking a vacation and we’re going safari camping in the world renowned Kruger National Park. OMG, I can hardly believe I’m getting a chance at possibly seeing the “Big 5” of South Africa. Hopefully we’ll actually see some animals over all the talking we’re sure to do. 😉
.jpg "Sign for driving on the left")
Thanks to blogger Jo at Memorable Meanders I will be backpacking 2-3 days in the Drakensberg Mountains with her son John and maybe wife Debbie. By then I’ll have rented a car and have to remember to drive on the “wrong” or left side of the road.
I want to see it all, but a month just isn’t long enough, so I made a long list and will do what I want/can. I hope to journey into KwaZulu-Natal, the Garden Route coast of the Eastern Cape, Little Karoo and the Western Cape where I fly out of Cape Town Monday, March 29.
.jpg "The new netbook")
I bought the Netbook to stay in touch. So hopefully I’ll find a little time to post. Otherwise, if I can ever label all the photos I’m sure to take, I should have enough posts to last…..
Am I Excited? You Better Believe It! 18 days and counting.
That's going to be a great time for sure. I would love to do something like that. Joan is such an interesting lady. I don't know which is more impressive, her bug thing or her tender heart.
I'm so excited for you! And will furiously be taking notes for my own trip next month.
Gaelyn you are so lucky…it sounds like an absolutely amazing trip and I look forward to your wonderful, informative posts of this beautiful part of the world.
Smiles and blessings
I would love to do something like that.
Work From Home
i am so happy for you and this trip of a lifetime. i know you will be in awe of everything you encounter and more. enjoy…enjoy my friend. and, of course i am looking forward to your marvelous captures.
i was also going to suggest you try to get out in frankfort…but, you already covered that. 11 hours is a long layover.
until later…many hugs and safe travels!!!!
I'm so pleased you brought all us newbies up to speed with your fantastic vacation plans, Gaelyn! This sounds like the trip of a lifetime and I am looking forward to reading all about it!
Gaelyn: A trip of a lifetime, have a wonderful time in SA, Joan should be an excellent guide.
Aw, Gaelyn, my heart literally squeezed when I read your write-up about my precious country, South Africa. I love that you're going to meet up with two other SA bloggers. I follow their blogs as well. I know Joan will be an excellent guide and companion while you're in Gauteng. I know you will enjoy the trip up the Drakensberg immensely. And wow, the Cape and the Karoo. If we 're back in SA before you're too far south (although nothing is too far for us on the motorbike) then we'll meet up with you as well. Just enjoy the anticipation now… (((Hugs))) Jo
I'm so happy for you! I'm sure you'll have a great time safari camping with Joan. Of course I look forward to your posts about South Africa.
What a wonderful place to start your travels of the world! Isn't it amazing the contacts that we can make now through the internet? Not only lovely friends through blogs, but also resources like couchsurfers.
I SO look forward to seeing pictures of your adventure! Since I will not be online much, I look forward to going back through your blog archives when I get the chance to be online, and see your journey.
Have a BEAUTIFUL Journey! I look forward to the day when I start to explore other countries.
Dreams certainly do come true when we surrender the status quo to follow our heart on the leading edge of the ever expanding and traveling universe.
Oh, I am so jealous! Seriously, though–you are going to have such a wonderful time, and I will be waiting to see all the pics and to hear all the stories.
Gaelyn, You'll have a wonderful time – of that I'm sure. Can't wait to hear your stories of adventure and hope some of them include wild animals! Be sure to check your Wireless before you leave, to make sure it's working. My friend Mary (whom you met) has been touring Australia and NZ for the past 2 1/2 months. She has been having trouble blogging – esp in Australia.
That sounds like a wonderful adventure you have planned. I know you will have a great time. Be sure to take lots of photos, and take along extra memory cards. It's amazing how fast you can fill them up. You'll want to consider having a good backup system so you won't lose any of your precious photos. Most of all, have fun!
You'll love it! Kruger is the most exciting and at the same time peaceful place I've ever been – i'm so glad you're going there.
Supercool!! And isn't couch surfing the best? Someday, someday.
Wow, I have been reading your blog for a couple of months and did not know you were heading to SA. I hope you are able to post blog messages of the fun you have, and things you really enjoy. I am going to SA this spring. A week long safari at Kruger will start my trip, but have 8 days in Cape Town that I have not nailed down… I hope you can inspire or lead me in part of my adventure.
Cheers,
Lunachance
Gaelyn, I am so excited for you and for me as I am going to meet you and Joan and another SA blogger. In fact I am off to her blog right now to meet her first in cyberspace. I wish for you only the best weather and friendliest people and most ferocious animals (big 5) while you are here. See you soon.
So excited for you Gaelyn! You'll have a grand time. My brother was in Kruger 3 months ago, and he told me that he and wife had seen so many animals, so you'll see plenty! And with Joan as your guide, you can't go wrong! Happy Valentine!
Not surprised you're excited! I hope you have a brilliant time, and look forward to seeing some photographs! Hope you get to see the Big 5. And alongside the excitement of the plans, it's so lovely to read how blogging has played a part in all this. The world really does seem smaller these days, doesn't it?!
Janice.
Wow, I am so happy for you. It sounds like you have a nice well planned out trip. I know you will see alot(wildlife and scenery) and takes lots of photos for us to see. I would love to do the safari and maybe some day I can get there too.
That's one OLD map (the capital of KZN hadn't been chosen yet). Have a good trip and we'll be sure to be keeping a close eye on this blog.
What an adventure. I'm looking forward to reading about it.
I am so excited for you and Joan to go on an adventure together… Michelle
About all I can say is WOWIE and cool beans. MB
I am so excited for you. It will be a great trip. We will all be seeing it through your eyes as you blog your way through South Africa with pictures and commentaries. Happy travels.
OMG I'm so excited for you! I'm at a loss for words… almost. How very, very cool. (India is the place that's jumped to the top of my list due to blogging.)
Chic's "mom-at-the-moment" is from South Africa. She goes back with her family every 3-5 years. She has made the absolute coolest scrapbooks from those return visits. My favorite one was an A-Z one. If you're up for it, my challenge to to find something to take a picture of that begins with every letter of the alphabet. She got tons of hers on a safari in Kruger Nat'l Park.
Oh, I am SOOOOOOO excited for you! I can hardly wait to see your reports!
Sorry, I've been meaning to e-mail you this weekend to get your itinerary from you to see how we could meet up when you are down in the Eastern Cape. Let me know if you need some info about the Eastern Cape, Garden Route and Cape Town.
This sounds so fun! I'm looking forward to enjoying your trip vicariously through your posts.
Have a wonderful time! looking forward to your posts!
Wow! How totally exciting–a month in SA. Jo of Memorable Meanders is also a blogger friend of mine…If you remember, tell Jo hi from Pat in California. What a great adventure you're going to have! Bon voyage!
OK, so I will begin at the beginning! So excited to hear about your adventure. So much better than my made up adventures I am sure.